Re: [tied] Arya-

Aryaman's name is easy to explain without recourse to anything extra-Indo-Iranian. The common noun <aryamán-> (Avestan airyaman-, also functioning as a theonym) means 'companion, intimate friend' -- rather suitable for an Aditya associated with chivalry and hospitality. The "mate" etymology of <arya-> fits like a glove.

Gaulish Ariomanus is _not_ a god's name. That of Eremon the Milesian may or may not be connected. The etymology of both (as well as that of the "freeman" word) is simply unclear, mainly because their internal reconstruction within Celtic offers too many possibilities (I'm sure any Celtic expert such as Chris could easily cite or generate several alternative explanations). There is nothing that I know of (beyond mere phonetic similarity, but that's hardly compelling) to suggest a connection with Aryaman. Remember that Theodoric and Theodore have completely different etymologies.

Ah, before I forget ... if you need a connection with a word meaning "man above", I suggest English airman :))

Piotr

----- Original Message -----
From: Glen Gordon

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 5:51 AM

Subject: Re: Odp: [tied] Arya-

Piotr: >If "seven" and a few other terms were able to migrate from (Proto-)Semitic into PIE, why not a more recent loan referring to >social structure, adopted only by the IE languages spoken in or around the Middle East?

Glen:

It's an interesting idea but I haven't heard enough about your position on Ariomanus, Eremon and Aryaman that Chris requested. How do you explain Vedic Aryaman without connecting it to Ariomanus? If the name of this god existed in the IE pantheon, it probably would have to do with the verb "to rise" or rather "to be above" (*H2or-) rather than "to move". In my mind, *H2or- must have been void of supremist connotations but I do see it having an added meaning of being older or more ancient. Hence, "Above Man" or "Oldest Man" which appears to be one of the functions of this divine character after all
- the progenitor of mankind. Hmm, I think I have to change the name to *XoryoManus.

I had put *XeryoManus on my site... I wasn't thinking. You guys gotta keep an eye on me to make sure I don't goof up like that again!